Is This The End? Scientists Think Kilonova Space Explosion Could End Life On Earth

Based on recent scientific findings, researchers are analysing the potential consequences of a neutron star collision in close proximity to Earth, concluding that these phenomena, known as kilonovae, could pose an existential threat to humanity. They are now trying to estimate the plausible scenarios that may unfold if such an event were to occur.

Who Is The Expert?

Haille Perkins is a University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign researcher who recently talked about the possible end of our planet with Space.com.

What Is Kilonova?

Carnegie Institution for Science

Scientists have revealed that the cataclysmic impact of a violent star collision, known as a kilonova, may pose a serious threat to our planet.?Why do you ask? Primarily due to the release of lethal radiation such as gamma rays, cosmic rays, and x-rays during these cosmic occurrences

Perkins told the outlet, “We found that if a neutron star merger were to occur within around 36 light-years of?Earth, the resulting radiation could cause an extinction-level event.”

Why Should We Be Worried?

Unsplash

The immense collision of ultra-dense neutron stars, each teaspoon of which weighs roughly a billion tonnes, generates a particle explosion that has the potential to obliterate Earth's ozone layer. This catastrophic event would render the planet susceptible to ultraviolet radiation for the next 1,000 years, signifying an event of mass extinction proportions.

How Will It Affect Earth?

Twitter/Peter Laursen

Among the array of hazardous particles examined, cosmic rays have been identified by researchers as the most pressing concern. The collision in space would instigate the formation of an expanding cosmic ray bubble, enveloping everything in its trajectory and unleashing a barrage of highly energetic, charged particles onto the Earth.

The collision of gamma rays with the surrounding stardust, or the "interstellar medium," may lead to the emission of X-rays, which, as outlined by Perkins' team, possess a similar ionizing impact on Earth's ozone layer.

While the duration of these effects surpasses that of gamma rays, making them potentially more dangerous,?Space.com notes that the Earth would need to be within approximately 16 light-years of the event's epicentre to experience these consequences.

Perkins also reassured that there's no need for panic, as kilonovae are considered to be rare occurrences. She added, “There are several other more common events like solar flares, asteroid impacts, and supernova explosions that have a better chance of being harmful.”

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